Misi proves most valuable

Gabriel Rizk

GLENDALE — Entering his junior season at Crescenta Valley High, Christian Misi was no novice when it came to playing varsity basketball.

The sturdy post player, who also possesses a smooth touch from the perimeter, had been logging heavy minutes for the Falcons since he was a freshman and had been through Pacific League title chases and CIF playoff battles alike.

But he had also been playing along with top post options like Coltrane Powdrill and Nick Dragovich, and with those two having graduated, Misi became the man in the middle for Crescenta Valley this season.

It was a role he embraced, flourished in and rode all the way to being named Pacific League co-Most Valuable Player along with Pasadena's Austin Daniels, as voted on by the league's coaches.

"For us to finish league at 12-2 behind the league champ, Pasadena, Christian was a huge part of that," said Falcons Coach Shawn Zargarian, whose team (20-8) went 12-2 in league to finish second behind Pasadena. "He really just upped his game and was a force for us all year."

Misi averaged 18.5 points per game and 11 rebounds, while serving as a force around the basket who could also be a three-point threat.

Two area players also made the all-league first team in Crescenta Valley sophomore guard Cole Currie and Glendale senior guard Anthony Tahmazian.

"He went from his freshman year kind of being [told], 'Shoot when you're open, we'll find you when Coltrane or Nick get doubled,' to a guy this year where the ball's in his hands the majority of the time," Zargarian said of Currie, who averaged 15 points per game while playing both guard positions alternately. "He's a playmaker, a guy looking to win games."

Tahmazian averaged 14.3 points, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game in league and was the Nitros closer at the end of close games.

"Anthony really made the big shots for us down the stretch, he really put up the numbers for us," said Glendale Coach Steve Snodgress, who was named the league's coach of the year after guiding the team to a 12-15 record and 7-7 league mark for third place. "His value to us was enormous."

Dragovich averaged 8.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, Anderson averaged 7.7 points, five rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game in league and Abelian averaged 6.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per game for the Tornadoes (6-19, 2-12), who finished in seventh place.